My 62 service truck on an 78 4x4 frame?

[amnima]

The frame on my 62 chevy short bed service truck it pretty bad and i have an oppritunity to buy a pretty strait 78 4x4 short bed chevy. I am thinking it would be easier to just swap everything over to the newer frame..... Someone correct me if i am wrong here but i think i will be much better off. Anyone have any opinions it would be great. thanks --Jimmy--

[Eagar1]

Well I know in Nevada, that you would have to register it as a 78, and in Nevada anything 67 and older is smog exempt so there is that to consider.

[Captainfab]

You will have to fabricate most all your body mount brackets on the frame. You'll end up with a body lift when done, unless you channel the body over the frame. The frames are the same when viewed from the top, but not when viewed from the side. The '73-'87 frames drop down more under the cab and the kickup behind the cab is different

[amnima]

looks like i may just use the rolling frame i have now.

I have looked for awhile but i can't find an answer. Could i use the rear end out of the 78 replacing the 62 smaller rearend. What is the difference in widths? I am trying to upgrade the rearend if possible with something i already have if possible

[Captainfab]

The '78 12 bolt rear end is 1.5 inches wider than the rear end in your '62. I'm assuming that your '62 has a coil rear suspension? If so then you will need to weld the trailing arm pads onto the '78 12 bolt along with the pandard bar bracket. It would be worth the effort IMO.

[Franks Fab Shop]

Jimmy , I'm going thru this same conversion with my '62 burb on a 78 4x4 3/4 ton chassis as well...mmm big brakes, and a rear end (14 bolt, 8 lug, full floater)thats strong as hell with cheap parts everywhere!

i sectioned the front half of the '78 frame 2.5" UP to get that "kick down under cab" porblem fixed.. also strentched the whell base 1/2" ,.. get front wheels a little more centered in fender (although i think i'd go the full inch next time)

sticking with ALL of the '78 drivetrain, i beleive this is the best way to really update... a little bit of work but not too bad...dealing with body mounts is a bigger job than this frame mod ...
and why use ANY of that old stuff anyway?

can post some pics of the progress tommorrow... gotta looong way to go! but it'll be well worth it!

[amnima]

YEa i would like to see some more pics. I will need all the pics and help I can get.

[Franks Fab Shop]

here we go.. for some reason i really have to down size pics...setting on camera? any way here go's more to come soon as progress allows